ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Initiatives Taken by Government to Prevent Road Accidents
The Ministry has formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering , Enforcement and Emergency Care. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken by the Ministry as detailed below :-
- Education:
- The Ministry implements a scheme for undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety to create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc. Total 714 work orders issued to various NGOs from 2018-19 to 20202021.
- Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.
- A Certification Course for Road Safety Auditors has been commenced in Indian Academy of Highway Engineers .
- Engineering 
• Road engineering:
- High priority to identification and rectification of black spots  on national highways. Ministry has identified 5803 black spots on National Highways based on accident and fatality data of year 2015-2018 in 30 states/UTs. Out of 5803 Black spots, temporary measures have been taken on 5366 black spots and 3215 Black spots have been permanently rectified.
- Road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage.
- Ministry has delegated powers to Regional Officers of MORTH for technical approval to the detailed estimates for rectification of identified Road Accident black spots.
- Guidelines for pedestrian facilities on National Highways for persons with disabilities have also been issued to all States / UTs.
• Vehicle engineering:
- Safety standards for automobiles have been improved in respect of Airbags, Anti-Breaking System , Tyres, Crash test, Whole Vehicle Safety Conformity of Production  etc.
- Ministry has notified fitment of Speed Limiting devices on all transport vehicles.
- Scheme for setting up one model Inspection & Certification Centre in each State/UT with Central assistance for testing the fitness of vehicles through an automated system.
- Enforcement
- The recently passed motor vehicles  Act, 2019 provides for strict enforcement through use of technology and further provides for strict penalties for ensuring strict compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules.
- Issue of Guidelines for protection of Good Samaritans and draft rules as per MV  Act, 2019 has been published.
- Emergency care:
- The Motor Vehicles  Act, 2019 provides for a scheme for the cashless treatment of victims of the accident during the golden hour.
- The National Highways Authority of India has made provisions for ambulances at all toll plazas on the completed corridor of National Highways.
- Further, out of this, 297 ambulances have been upgraded to Basic Life Support as per AIS125 and upgradation for the remaining is under process.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Dak Adalat on 24.12.2020
It is proposed to conduct Dak Adalat on 24.12.2020 at 1000 hours at Anna Road HPO, Chennai 600002. The members of the public are requested to send their grievances, if any regarding Postal services  availed at Anna Road HPO, Chennai 600002, either in person or by post or through email at doannaroadhpo.tn@indiapost.gov.in, with the caption Dak Adalat, on or before 21.12.2020. They may also attend the Dak Adalat in person on 24.12.2020 at 1000 hours, according to a press release issued by the Shri S.Kumar, Chief Postmaster, Anna Road HPO, Chennai.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Webinar on stabilising immunity during COVID times
Field Outreach Bureau, Ernakulam and Mahatma Mathrubhumi Study | Circle, Thiruvankulam, Ernakulam jointly organised a Webinar today on stabilising immunity during COVID times. Shri.M.Swaraj MLA inaugurated the Webinar. Dr.Vishnu Mohan, Medical Officer under AYUSH Wellness Centre lead the class.More than 165 participants from the state and abroad attended the webinar.
Smt.K.A.Beena, Deputy Director,Regional Outreach Bureau, L.C.Ponnumon, Field Exhibition Officer, M.R.Amal, President, Mahatma Study Circle Unit , M.Renjith Kumar, Coordinator, P.P.Ajimon, advisory member also spoke on the occasion.
Ministry of Defence
INS HANSA MARKS DIAMOND JUBILEE ON 05 SEP 21
INS Hansa, the Indian Navy's premier air station, is celebrating its diamond jubilee on 05 Sep 2021. The Naval Jet Flight set up at Coimbatore in 1958 with Sea Hawk, Alize and Vampire aircraft, was later commissioned as INS Hansa on 05 September 1961. After the liberation of Goa, Dabolim airfield was taken over by the Navy in Apr 1962 and INS Hansa shifted to Dabolim June 1964.
Commissioned as a modest air station with only a few aircraft, INS Hansa has increased its prowess over the last six decades and is presently operating over 40 military aircraft, clocking an average yearly flying of over 5000 hours. The air station also supports civil aviation by handling domestic and international flights 24x7, with an average of 29000 flights in a year.
INS Hansa is the abode of the Indian Navy's frontline air squadrons - INAS 310 'Cobras' with Dornier-228 aircraft, INAS 315 'Winged Stallions' with the long range maritime patrol aircraft IL-38SD, INAS 339 'Falcons' with the airborne early warning Kamov-31 helicopter; INAS 303 'Black Panthers' and INAS 300 ' White Tigers' with the supersonic carrier-borne MiG 29K fighters, and INAS 323 ‘Harriers’ with ALH Mk III helicopters. The air station will soon operate the Boeing P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft with the commissioning of INAS 316.
Cmde Ajay D Theophilus, Commanding Officer, INS Hansa said, "Over the years, the base has represented a crucial segment of the Navy's combat power. Aircraft from Hansa augment the security of entire western seaboard significantly, including offshore assets, and undertake extensive surveillance to neutralise threats at and from the sea. The base has also provided substantial aid to civil authorities in the form of search and rescue, HADR, flood relief, community activities and numerous Vande Bharat flights.
INS Hansa is the host for the prestigious event of presentation of President’s Colour to naval aviation by the Hon’ble President of India on 06 September 2021. The event coincides with the diamond jubilee of INS Hansa and the liberation of Goa.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Farmers enrolled on e-NAM
Government of India through CCS National Institute of Agricultural Marketing , an autonomous organization of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, has carried out the assessment of the National Agriculture Market  scheme, with report titled Performance Evaluation of e-National Agriculture Market” .
As mentioned in the aforesaid report, as on 15th May, 2020, 1000 wholesale mandis of 18 States and 03 Union Territories  have been integrated with e-NAM platform. Further it has been mentioned that e-NAM has registered a user base of 1.66 crore farmers, 1012 Farmer Producer Organizations  and 1.31 lakh traders on e-NAM platform and 175 commodities including food grains, oilseeds, fruits & vegetables are traded on e-NAM platform. It further mentions that as on 14th May, 2020, farmers have transacted over Rs 1 Lakh crore on the e-NAM platform with a trade volume of 3.43 crore tones of commodities and 38.16 Lakh bamboo and coconuts.
The numbers of cultivators is estimated through decennial Census by office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Government of India.
The farmers are free to sell their wholesale produce in any APMC markets. Also APMCs help farmers in registering as sellers in e-NAM. As per registration in the e-NAM portal, more than 1.69 crore farmers as sellers have been registered as farmers.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between Prime Minister and President of Philippines
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on telephone today with President of Philippines, His Excellency Rodrigo Duterte, and discussed the steps being taken by the two Governments to address the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both leaders expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended to ensure the welfare of their citizens in each other's territory, as also for their repatriation home, during the ongoing health crisis. The Philippines President also appreciated the steps taken by India to maintain supply of essential pharmaceutical products to the Philippines.
Prime Minister assured President Duterte of India's commitment to support the Philippines in its fight against the pandemic, and stressed that India's well-established capacity for manufacturing affordable pharmaceutical products, including for an eventual vaccine once it is found, would continue to be deployed for the benefit of entire humanity.
The leaders shared their satisfaction at the progress seen in recent years in all aspects of the bilateral relationship, including defence cooperation. Prime Minister emphasised that India sees the Philippines as a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to His Excellency President Duterte and the people of the Philippines for the forthcoming National Day of the Philippines.
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Ministry of Jal Shakti
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FUNCTIONAL HOUSEHOLD TAP CONNECTIONS
Since August, 2019, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission  after subsuming erstwhile National Rural Drinking Water Programme , to make provision of potable water at the service level of 55 litre per capita per day  to every rural household through tap water connection, by 2024. At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission, out of 18.93 Crore rural households, 3.23 Crore  households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, 5.67 Crore  rural households have been provided with tap water connections in last 29 months. Thus, as of date, out of 19.28 Crore rural households in the country, 8.90 Crore  households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. The State/ UT-wise status of tap water connection in rural households across the country is at Annex-I.
Further, as reported by States/ UTs, as on 31.01.2022, out of 17.01 lakh rural habitations of the country, 13.22 lakh  habitations having 77.90% population have provision of potable drinking water with supply level of more than 40 litre per capita per day  and 3.44 lakh  habitations having 20.39% population with supply level of less than 40 lpcd with sources at a reasonable distance and 0.35 lakh  rural habitations having 1.71% population are reported to have water quality issues in drinking water sources.
Number of steps have been taken to plan and implement JJM in the whole country with speed, inter alia, which includes joint discussion and finalization of saturation plan and annual action plan  of States/ UTs, regular review of implementation, workshops/ conferences/ webinars for capacity building, training, knowledge sharing, field visits by multi-disciplinary team to provide technical support, etc. Detailed Operational Guideline for the implementation of JJM; Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats & VWSCs to provide safe drinking water in rural households and Guidelines on a special campaign to provide piped water supply in anganwadi centres, ashramshalas and schools have been shared with States/ UTs, to facilitate planning and implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. For online monitoring, JJM–Integrated Management Information System  and JJM–Dashboard has been put in place. Provision has also been made for transparent online financial management through Public Financial Management System .
The State/ UT-wise details of budgetary allocation, fund drawn & reported utilization by States/ UTs under erstwhile NRDWP for 2018-19 and under JJM for 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22  is at Annex-II.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Maharashtra
The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 14.03.2022 on a popular chain of educational institutes, running several schools and colleges at multiple locations in India and abroad. The search operation covered more than 25 premises spread over locations in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
During the search, several incriminating evidences including hard copy documents and digital data have been found and seized, which reveal that substantial funds have been siphoned-off from the Trusts for the personal benefit of the group’s promoters and their family members, in violation of provisions relating to claim of exemption by the Trusts under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
The modus operandi of siphoning-off the funds from the Trusts includes debiting of bogus expenses in the guise of purchase of goods/services from various dummy companies and LLPs owned by the promoters, their family members, and some of their trusted employees. It was unearthed that no actual goods/services were delivered/rendered by these entities and the same have been corroborated by the employees in their deposition. The money so siphoned-off has been utilised for investment in acquiring benami properties and making unfair payments.
During the search, evidences of about two dozen immovable properties located in Maharashtra, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu have also been gathered which are either benami properties or not disclosed in the respective returns of Income. These properties have been placed under provisional attachment.
The search also revealed evidences of borrowings on Hundi aggregating to Rs. 55 crore, and their repayment in cash in the form of discharged Promissory Notes/Bills of Exchange, which were found & seized.
The search action has resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs. 27 lakh and jewellery worth Rs. 3.90 crore.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Southwest monsoon 2021 so far covered most parts of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :

Status of monsoon as on 30th June 2021 and forecast upto 7th July
- i) Southwest monsoon 2021 so far covered most parts of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. The northern Limit of southwest monsoon  continues to pass through Lat. 26°N / Long. 70°E, Barmer, Bhilwara, Dholpur, Aligarh, Meerut, Ambala and Amritsar. Since, 19th June, there has not been any progress of monsoon. It was due to impact mid-latitude westerly winds and unfavourable Madden Julian Oscillation  and absence of formation of low pressure system over North Bay of Bengal.
The MJO currently lies in Phase 1  with amplitude more than 1. It is likely to propagate eastwards into Phase 2  with amplitude close to 1 by 2 July and further into Phase 3  from 7th July. Hence, the phase of MJO is likely to gradually favour enhancement of convection and cross equatorial flow over the North Indian Ocean  during Week 2 around 7th July 2021. Model forecasts show that easterly winds from Bay of Bengal in lower tropospheric levels are not likely to be established over north-western plains of India before 7th July. Accordingly, further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab is not likely till 7th July.
Status of rainfall of Southwest monsoon 2021 till 30th June 2021: For the country as a whole, cumulative rainfall during this year’s Southwest Monsoon season’s Rainfall till 30th June, 2021 has been above normal by about 10% above Long Period Average  with actual rainfall during the same period is 18.29 cm against its normal of 16.69 cm.

Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares Anju Bobby George's article regarding Mann ki Baat
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared an article written by Vice President of Athletics Federation of India, Ms Anju Bobby George regarding Mann ki Baat developing as a platform to celebrate sports achievement of the nation.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Vice President of Athletics Federation of India, @anjubobbygeorg1 writes how #MannKiBaat has become a platform where the country's achievements on the sports front are brought to light."
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Tagging of Climate Budget in Budgetary Process
The Union Budget 2020-21 stated that India’s climate action will be executed in various sectors by the Departments/ Ministries concerned through the normal budgeting process. The successive Union Budgets have scaled up the efforts towards mobilizing resources for climate action. The Union Budget 2023-24 places greening the economy as one of the top seven priorities. The Budget indicated many programmes such as green fuel, green energy, green farming, green mobility, green buildings, and green equipment, and policies for efficient use of energy across various economic sectors.
India’s climate actions across various sectors are embedded in various programmes and schemes. The National Action Plan on Climate Change  provides the overarching framework for all climate actions and comprises missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, human health and strategic knowledge for climate change. All these Missions are institutionalized and implemented by their respective nodal Ministries/Departments, including allocation of funds under their relevant schemes as a part of their annual budgetary allocations.
The pre-budget meetings are convened by the Ministry of Finance to consult various stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the annual budget exercise.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Fourth Tribal Artisan Empanelment Mela of Kerala to be organized in Attapadi on Aug 9, 2023
Will Showcase Indigenous Artistry and Cultural Splendor
Kochi: Aug 8, 2023
TRIFED  will organize the fourth Tribal Artisan Empanelment Mela  of Kerala at Mukkali Forest Dormitory, Attapadi, Palakkad. The Mela will provide a platform to talented tribal artisans to be empaneled and recognized for their exceptional craftsmanship. The endeavor marks the efforts of TRIFED to empower indigenous communities and preserve their cultural heritage.
The Mela is the fourth in the series of six being organized in Kerala. The Melas so far were held in Marayoor and Thekkady, both in Idukki district and Chalakudy in Thrissur district. The fifth and sixth Melas will be held in Meenangadi and Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district. The places have been chosen due to their dominant tribal population. The events will conclude on the 12th of August, 2023.
The Melas are showcasing the extraordinary artistry, unique traditions and remarkable skills of tribals. The empanelment process will facilitate enduring support, market access, and opportunities for collaborations with designers, exporters and stakeholders in the handicraft sector.
Empanelment in TAeM will assist tribal artisans to improve their ethnic products through skill development training programmes. It will also assist them in getting direct exposure to markets and will secure national and international marketing linkages through online and offline modes.
The Melas are showcasing an array of tribal art forms reflecting the distinctive identity and cultural tapestry of tribals including hand-woven textiles, intricate jewellery, sublime woodwork, exquisite pottery and mesmerizing paintings.
Ministry of Finance
“PM Jan Dhan Yojana strives for inclusive economic development as propounded by Dr. Ambedkar”
Experts address PIB Mumbai webinar on occasion of 7th anniversary of PMJDY
Mumbai, August 31, 2021
As suggested by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in The Problem of The Rupee, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana strives to attain inclusive Economic Development, so that political freedom gets its due meaning. The concept of Antyoday propounded by Deendayal Upadhyay ji also suggests the same. This was said by Shri Sudhakar Atre, Faculty at Bank of India Training Centre, addressing a webinar organized on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The webinar was organized on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, by Press Information Bureau, Mumbai.
Shri Atre further said that a record number of bank accounts were opened under the scheme. “Bank accounts are a pre-requisite for Direct Benefit Transfer and opening of accounts made DBT possible. Such a large number of accounts could be opened due to the dedication of bank employees at grassroot level. Moreover, Regional Rural Banks performed even better than parent commercial banks, which also reduced the scourge of private money lending”.
Shri Atre informed that the qualitative impact of the scheme lies in having been able to bring 43 crore people in the age group of 18-80, into the ambit of formal banking. “Public sector banks played a crucial role by contributing 91 percent of the above achievement. Private sector banks contributed the remaining 9 percent. This also shows the scope for improvement among private sector banks.”
Addressing the webinar, Shri D. B. Deshmukh who retired as AGM in the banking sector informed that PMJDY accounts have tripled during the last 6 years. “Today, we have 43.04 crore accounts as compared to 14.72 crore accounts in 2015. They have total savings of more than Rs. 1,46,230 crore.”
He said that PMJDY accounts have seen a huge rise in digital transactions. “31 crore debit cards have been issued under the scheme. 55 percent account holders under the scheme are women. The scheme has highly helped Direct Benefit Transfer , as 8 crore beneficiaries are receiving money in PMJDY accounts. The overdraft facility, which was earlier limited to persons who 60 years of age, has now been extended to persons who are less than 65 years old.”
Shri Ashok Chavan, Chief Manager, RDD  said that PMJDY provides affordable banking services to 55%-60% of the population who are outside the financial mainstream. Zero balance account, insurance cover and such other measures have brought around 60 crore population to the banking sector, he added.
M. A. Kabra, General Manager , Bank of Maharashtra and Convener, Stale Level Banking committee  called PMJDY a National Mission to ensure basic financial inclusion in an affordable manner.
Smt. Dhanalakshmi P moderated the webinar while Shri Rahul Tidke gave Vote of Thanks.
Watch the webinar here: